More About Hafenkapelle
Making Music Since 1986
The Hafenkapelle band is sponsored by the German American Social Club of Cape Coral, Florida, and has been in existence for over thirty five years. The band is a typical costumed German band and also a community band, having been proclaimed the official band of the City of Cape Coral.
The Hafenkapelle members rehearse and socialize every Wednesday evening at the German American Social Club on Pine Island Road in Cape Coral. They perform at a variety of venues throughout the year, particularly in the “Fest” season — October through November. The full band number around twenty pieces, but have numbered as many as thirty over the years. Smaller groups are available, down to 10 members. The Hafenkapelle play a variety of music — mostly German favorites, but also Pop and Big Band numbers popular in Germany and America.
The highlight of the Hafenkapelle performances every year is as one of the feature bands of the Cape Coral German American Social Club’s annual Oktoberfest the last two full weekends in October. They have played for every Club Oktoberfest. The band was established in the early 1980’s by Uwe Kellner, past president of the Cape Coral German American Social Club.
Board of Directors
Officers:
President: Dave Harlow (Clarinet)
Vice President: Cindy McPhillips (Woodwinds)
Secretary: Tony Ackerman (Clarinet)
Treasurer: Dave Kenney (Clarinet)
Past President: Ron Hagemeyer (Euphonium, Keyboard)
Directors:
Leo Bacigalupi (Trumpet, Flugel Horn)
Brad Brown (Trumpet, Flugel Horn)
Alison Gonzalez (Percussion)
Richard Koths (Trumpet, Flugel Horn, Trombone)
Librarian Sandy Kupfer
Kapellmeister Gary Marvel
Gary is a retired professional music educator, conductor, performer, and military officer with 41 years of experience in the United States and overseas.
Gary’s conducting experience includes working with a variety of wind groups and ensembles. He has served as the guest conductor of the 28th Infantry Division Band of the US Army, guest conductor with the All-European Concert Band for the Defense Department and led his own jazz orchestra in the United States and Europe. He still actively performs with the trumpet.
Gary has received many music awards. including the West Virginia State Musical Director of the Year, European teacher of the year (one of 14 worldwide), and president of both state and European musician educators.
Brad Cassity, Business Manager
German American Social Club
Hafenkapelle is the house band for the German American Social Club in Cape Coral, Florida.
Contact the Band About Performing at Your Event
The Hafenkapelle plays a wide variety of music. We enjoy entertaining!